The Ford Mustang is one of the most American of all American sports cars. The epitome of the modern muscle car movement, it has endeared itself to people all over the world. Of course, even legends can improve.

And Ford was able to do just that with the 2013 Ford Mustang GT Convertible.

Exterior & Interior

The 2013 Mustang features some subtle modifications that made its retro styling acquire more swagger. With its new styling and the inclusion of some new technologies, this car has been reborn, literally and figuratively. A more prominent grille, together with a front splitter and hood vents, create a more aggressive yet functional styling cue upfront.

Smoked taillights complete this purposeful look on the rear. HID headlights are also new for this car. To complete the new look, new wheel selections ranging from 17 to 19 inches in diameter can be selected by prospective owners. Optional Recaro seats, the same seats used for premium Mustangs such as the Shelby and Boss models, are also available.

Performance

As for the mechanicals, there are vast improvements too. The 5.0 liter V8 found on the GT has an improved output of 420 horsepower. The key to this improvement are the things that they have learned while developing the limited edition Boss model. A SelectShift 6 speed automatic transmission with a manual function also comes standard. An optional track package allows sports car enthusiasts to upgrade their pony’s performance.

There are a lot of things to love with the 2013 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. With this car, they have proven that even the best can get even better.

Specifications

The snazzy 2012 Hyundai Veloster is not a replacement for the two-seat, Honda CRX Si, but it has drawn comparisons, and Hyundai does not mind. The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe with a unique third door, which causes people to take a second look.

It offers comfort, safety, great gas mileage, and is built with Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission.

Performance

The Gamma, (GDI) Gasoline Direct Injection, 1.6-liter, and 4 cylinder Engine is new, and helps deliver up to 40 miles per gallon in highway driving, lower emission output, and increased reliability. The peak output is 138 hp, at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 123 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm. It has an electronic throttle control, variable induction, and roller timing chain with anti-friction CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coatings.

The six-speed manual, or EcoShift, Dual-clutch transmission with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVTT), uses one clutch which acts on gears 1,3 and 5, and the other clutch acts on gears 2,4, and 6, resulting in a quick, smooth transition, with no efficiency loss. The power-train has an Active Eco mode, which can modify the engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy.

Safety Features

Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Six Airbags (dual front seat, side, front and rear side curtain).

Exterior & Interior

The 2012 Veloster look is inspired by a high-performance sport bike, with the black A-pillars, giving the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. It features “Fluidic Sculpture” lines, muscular wheel arches, camouflaged door handles and mirrors, wrap-around head and taillights, 17″ alloy wheels, dual centered chrome exhaust tips, which complement the front fascia.

The console and controls resemble a motorcycle’s fuel tank, with an optional push-button starter, air vents which resemble motorcycle tailpipes, and metallic accents throughout the interior. With alloy pedals, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift-knob available, the Veloster provides a very sporty, and spacious interior, with comfortable, form-fitting bucket seats. The third door is an additional rear passenger-side door, with a hidden door handle, to maintain the coupe design.

Added Features

BlueLink technology helps you to find points of interest (POI), check maintenance, map your fuel economy with Eco Coach, communicate with friends, and monitor your vehicle, all with voice text, in an attempt to reduce driving distraction. With a 7-inch touch-screen monitor, it is easy to view and with voice recognition, easy to use without taking your eyes off of the road.

For a powerful, fuel-efficient, eye-catching, sporty, spacious, comfortable drive, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a hatchback, three-door, coupe, with a very reasonable price!

Specifications

Toyota unveiled the new GT 86 compact sports car at the 2011 Toyota motor show. GT 86 is a 4 seater which makes it a driver oriented machine.

The Toyota GT 86 will be launched in the US market as the Scion FR-S, a joint development effort between Toyota and Subaru design engineers.

The GT 86 was derived from the concept FT-86. The GT 86 also draws inspiration from its previous sports models like AE86 Toyota Corolla and 2000GT.

Design Features

The Toyota and Subaru design teams built this car on a completely new platform with the design objective of achieving ‘pure balance’. The design focused on keeping the car light-weight with balanced weight distribution, low centre of gravity, low inertia and excellent aerodynamics. This enabled the car to achieve optimum power to weight ratios, and translates into powerful performance and handling for the driver.

The GT 86 is a low set car with an engine mounted quite low to help the car achieve a low centre of gravity, which is in fact lower than some of the supercars. The front-mounted engine has been designed along with the Subaru team to make it compact and flat, in order to achieve near perfect front to rear weight ratio of 53:47.

Lightweight material has been extensively used in the design of the car to achieve the perfect weight balance, which is responsible for the car’s superior ride and handling.

Performance

The Toyota 86 is powered by a Subaru 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine producing 197hp of power and max torque of 205Nm @ 6600rpm. The flat engine is lightweight and its low-set placement gives the ideal balance for the car. The car does the 0-60mph run in 6.2 sec. GT 86 not only delivers strong performance but delivers excellent fuel economy as well.

2013 Toyota GT 86 is a powerful and lightweight compact sports car with great balance of performance and handling. With this car Toyota has achieved its objective of developing a product which captures the true joy of driving and is a pure balance of performance, handling and fuel economy. At affordable price point, expect this budget sports car to create lots of excitement in the market.

Specifications

The Ferrari 599 is one of the finest grand touring cars Ferrari has ever produced.

With the swagger of a touring car and the soul of a true super sports car, the 599 was immediately recognized as a modern classic. But of course, there are people that are seeking more for this car, including Ferrari itself.

In response to this, Ferrari has released, albeit in limited numbers, arguably the ultimate 599: the 2012 Ferrari 599 XX Evoluzione.

Specifications

Developed as a track day weapon a la the Porsche 911 GT2 and other similar cars, this car is packed with the latest and greatest technology that Ferrari has to offer.

Racing in Mind

This car, while it still looks like the 599 and still keeps the same engine and transaxle, is a completely different beast. True to Ferrari’s High Performance Dynamic Concept, the 599XX is an eclectic mix of mechanical and electronic excellence that pushed the boundaries of speed.

The recipient of some of Ferrari’s gizmos developed from years of experience in Formula 1, everything from aerodynamics to electronics are modified into this car, producing perhaps the most electrifying production car out there.

Performance

As for the mechanicals, an enhanced aerodynamic kit allows the production of 280kg of down force at 200km/h and 630kg at 300km/h, a SCM suspension that improves the 599’s already awesome handling capabilities, a lightweight body consisting of composite and carbon fiber parts, carbon ceramic brakes that promise optimal stopping power while reducing weight, and a modified engine that boasts outputs of 700hp at 9000rpm join forces to turn the 2012 Ferrari 599 XX Evoluzione the ultimate track weapon.

Hennessey is known to create some of the fastest cars in the world. Remember the Hennessey Venom GT? It is a supercar with a Lotus Elise body that houses a 1200 horsepower Chevrolet Corvette engine complete with 2 turbochargers. It is the same car that challenged world records and successfully received the reputation of being one of the fastest cars ever produced.

Specifications

Now, Hennessey has announced the release of the 2013 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, promising the same superlative speeds in a convertible package.

Lightweight

This car is still the same Venom GT. It still has the Elise body frame. It still has the lightweight sub-2640 lbs (1200 kg) frame. It still has the 20 inch wheels that promise both style and substance. It still has Brembo carbon ceramic brakes that promise fail proof braking even at consistently high speeds. It still has the Ricardo 6 speed gearbox that combines great acceleration and a super top speed.

Performance

And then there is the extensively modified 6.2 liter LS2 V8 that made its appearance in the Corvette. Thanks to extensive modifications, including the attachment of 2 Garrett turbochargers, output is increased to a mind boggling 1200 horsepower, taking it to speeds of over 400 kilometers per hour.

But what makes the 2013 Hennessey Venom GT Spyder is its price tag, a compelling 1.1 million dollars. Quite frankly, there is no convertible in the world today that can match this car. Just imagine roaring at ungodly speeds with the top down. Add with this car’s incredible exclusivity (only 5 Venom GTs are slated to be produced in 2012), it makes this car all the more compelling.